Swallows are gathering following conclusion of their nesting. Tree swallows make up most of the flocks, but northern rough-winged swallows, barn swallows and bank swallows are also being seen.

An American bittern, a Virginia rail and a sora were seem in Belchertown.

Three Virginia rails, a yellow-billed cuckoo and seven black-billed cuckoos were reported in the Ware area.

Black-billed cuckoos were also calling in back yards in Wendell and Southwick.

Three red crossbills were found in central watershed at the Quabbin Reservoir, and a marsh wren was seen in Holland.

Trudy Tynan, a member of the Hampshire Bird Club and a retired reporter for The Associated Press, edits the sightings that are compiled by Seth Kellogg of Southwick. For more information www. hampshirebirdclub.org. Call (781) 259-8805 for state bird sightings. To record sightings, call (781) 259-8805 Ext. 2 and wait for the end of the tape. It is a long-distance call.